Governor Cuomo provided the first look at his plan for reopening the State recently establishing a four phase strategy that delays opening restaurants and bars until phase three. The plan uses objective health data to determine when a region may begin the process of reopening, with the earliest date a region can begin the reopening…

Governor Cuomo has arranged for the donation of 900,000 masks for food service and delivery workers in order to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and to protect these frontline workers who are providing an essential service to New Yorkers. We’re partnering with the State Liquor Authority to get these masks out to those who…

Business owners should consider the benefits of the Shared Work Program in bringing back staff after being allowed to reopen. The Shared Work Program gives employers an alternative to laying off employees when they have a downturn in business. Rather than laying off a percentage of the workforce to cut costs, an employer can reduce…

The New York State Department of Labor is reminding employers that they are required by law (12 NYCRR § 472.8) to provide the following information to employees whose work schedule and/or employment status has been impacted by COVID-19 related issues, in order to help them promptly complete an unemployment insurance benefits application: NYS Employer Registration…

No other industry has been hit harder by the coronavirus than restaurants. The impact of the restaurant industry cannot be understated—our sales exceed the agriculture, airline, railroad, ground transportation, and spectator sports industries combined.  Yet, restaurants will be one of the slowest industries to bounce back from the effects of this pandemic. The National Restaurant Association…

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund (the Fund) is putting $50 million toward the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a component of the latest coronavirus relief package. Under the PPP, employers can secure loans that will be forgiven by the federal government if employees…

The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation has established the Save Small Business Fund, a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as they can.…

Scott Wexler, ESRTA Executive Director, issued the following statement on the White House Plans to Re-Open the Economy: “The White House COVID-19 plan to re-open the economy in stages misses the mark by recommending large venues, such as sit-down dining and movies theaters, be allowed to operate while bars would not be able to re-open…

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the liquor licenses of Joe Vin Enterprises LLC, doing business as “Uncle Henry’s” at 309-311 Halstead Avenue in Harrison. The bar was found operating in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order, requiring bars and restaurants to cease on-premises service of food and alcoholic beverages to combat…

he New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the liquor licenses of St. Bees LLC., at 4466 Baychester Avenue in the Bronx.  The bar was found operating in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order, requiring restaurants to cease on-premises service of food and alcoholic beverages to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Following a…

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the liquor licenses of Swannie House Ltd., doing business as the “Swannie House” at 170 Ohio Street in Buffalo, and Toralti & Marfurt Restaurant Inc., doing business as “AJ’s” at 10250 Main Street in Clarence.  Both bars were found operating in violation of the Governor’s Executive…

Empire State Development has posted resources to assist eligible small businesses and nonprofits understand the loans programs available from the Small Business Administration to respond to the Coronavirus crisis. Paycheck Protection Program: Empire State Development’s Checklist for the Paycheck Protection Program Paycheck Protection Program FAQ U.S. Chamber of Commerce Emergency Loan Guide   Economic Injury…